Elavil
Elavil is in a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Elavil affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.
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Manufacturer's Instructions
Uses Elavil is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide. Amitriptyline is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain. Directions Take amitriptyline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass (8 oz) of water. Amitriptyline may be taken several times a day or in one daily dose (usually at bedtime). Follow your doctor's instructions. It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do not stop taking amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor. Do not stop taking amitriptyline suddenly. This could cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, and malaise. If you miss a dose of Elavil, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you suspect an overdose of Elavil, seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an amitriptyline overdose include seizures, confusion, drowsiness, agitation, hallucinations, and low blood pressure (dizziness, fatigue, fainting). Storage Store amitriptyline at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Cautions Before taking amitriptyline, tell your doctor if you have * liver disease; * kidney disease; * asthma; * thyroid disease; * diabetes; * stomach or intestinal problems; * high blood pressure or heart disease; * had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks; * an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or * glaucoma. You may not be able to take amitriptyline, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. While you are taking amitriptyline you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking amitriptyline. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with amitriptyline. Do not stop taking amitriptyline. Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Elavil may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Amitriptyline may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Amitriptyline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated, and low blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication. Interactions Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Elavil. Do not take amitriptyline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the last 14 days. Side Effects
Uses Elavil is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide. Amitriptyline is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain. Directions Take amitriptyline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass (8 oz) of water. Amitriptyline may be taken several times a day or in one daily dose (usually at bedtime). Follow your doctor's instructions. It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do not stop taking amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor. Do not stop taking amitriptyline suddenly. This could cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, and malaise. If you miss a dose of Elavil, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you suspect an overdose of Elavil, seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an amitriptyline overdose include seizures, confusion, drowsiness, agitation, hallucinations, and low blood pressure (dizziness, fatigue, fainting). Storage Store amitriptyline at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Cautions Before taking amitriptyline, tell your doctor if you have * liver disease; * kidney disease; * asthma; * thyroid disease; * diabetes; * stomach or intestinal problems; * high blood pressure or heart disease; * had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks; * an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or * glaucoma. You may not be able to take amitriptyline, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. While you are taking amitriptyline you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking amitriptyline. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with amitriptyline. Do not stop taking amitriptyline. Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Elavil may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Amitriptyline may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Amitriptyline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated, and low blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication. Interactions Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Elavil. Do not take amitriptyline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the last 14 days. Side Effects
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